ASSEMBLY, No. 1552

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman CLINTON CALABRESE

District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

Assemblyman MICHAEL INGANAMORT

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

Senator  PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

District 18 (Middlesex)

Senator  RAJ MUKHERJI

District 32 (Hudson)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Sampson and Senator Space

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Revises penalties for certain violations of limousine laws.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee with technical review.

  


An Act concerning limousines and amending P.L.1999, c.356.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 18 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.39:5G-1) is amended to read as follows: 

     18. a.  A person who shall own and operate a limousine in any street in this State in violation of the provisions of article 2 of chapter 16 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes or of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes shall be subject to the following penalties:

     [a.] (1) [For] for operating a limousine without a license issued by a municipality pursuant to R.S.48:16-17, knowingly permitting a driver to operate a limousine without a validly issued driver's license or a validly issued commercial driver license if required pursuant to N.J.A.C.13:21-23.1, [failure] failing to have filed an insurance policy in the amount of $1,500,000 which is currently in force as provided in R.S.48:16-14 or in the amounts required pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.4), operating a limousine in which the number of passengers exceeds the maximum seating capacity as provided in R.S.48:16-13 or section 2 of P.L.1997, c.356 (C.48:16-13.1):  a fine of $2,500 for the first offense [and] ; a fine of [$5000] $5,000 for the second [or subsequent] offense; and a fine of $7,500, the immediate suspension of the violator’s driver’s license for a period of at least six months, and the immediate impoundment of the vehicle operated in violation of this paragraph for the third and any subsequent offense;

     (2)  [For] for operating a limousine without the special registration plates required pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1979, c.224 (C.39:3-19.5)[,] or operating a limousine without the limousine being properly inspected as provided in R.S.39:8-1:  a fine of $1,250 for the first offense [and] ; a fine of $2,500 for the second [or subsequent] offense; and a fine of $7,500 and the immediate impoundment of the vehicle operated in violation of this paragraph for the third and any subsequent offense;

     (3)  [For] for operating a limousine without the attached sideboards required by section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1), [failure] failing to retain within the limousine appropriate proof of insurance pursuant to R.S.48:16-17, or [failure] failing to execute and deliver to the chief administrator the power of attorney required pursuant to R.S.48:16-16:  a fine of $250 for the first offense; and a fine of $500 for the second and subsequent offense; and

     (4)  [For failure] for failing to be equipped with a two-way communications system, a removable first-aid kit, and an operable fire extinguisher, as required by section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1), or any other violation of the provisions of article 2 of chapter 16 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes other than those enumerated in this subsection:  a fine of $50 for the first offense; and a fine of $100 for the second and subsequent offense.

     b.    Violations of this section shall be enforced and penalties collected in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).  The Superior Court or any municipal court where the violation was detected, or where the defendant was apprehended, shall have jurisdiction to enforce this section.  Penalties imposed pursuant to this section shall be in addition to those otherwise imposed according to law.  All penalties collected pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be forwarded as provided in R.S.39:5-40 and subsection b. of R.S.39:5-41.

     c.    State Police officers may enter the property of the operator of a limousine service to conduct an inspection of documents and vehicles upon probable cause that the operator is violating R.S.48:16-14, R.S.48:16-17, R.S.48:16-22, section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1), section 14 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.4), or section 12 of P.L.1979, c.224 (C.39:3-19.5).

(cf:  P.L.2009, c.325, s.1)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.